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[Updated for Christmas in Gozo 2023]
Christmastime is almost here and the island of Gozo has put on its best dress for this festive season. Victoria, Gozo’s City, and home to Townhouse 17 Boutique B&B, is the leading locality that always steps up for the occasion. Indeed, the City is lit for the festive season with its main attractions being the decorations at Republic Street and the Villa Rundle Gardens, both just a 3-minute walk away from Townhouse 17 Boutique B&B.
The shimmering Christmas lights decorating the island’s main streets add to the usually cheerful ambience of an island whose name means ‘joy’ in Spanish and we truly think that Christmastime is an ideal time to spend a holiday on the island of Gozo.
Beyond the decorations and twinkling lights, there’s a whole programme of events planned for the upcoming month or so. Here’s what we believe are the highlights of Christmas in Gozo 2023.
The Christmas Parade is an annual event that usually draws the crowds to Victoria. We’re expecting a big celebration this year to make up for the two-year wait for the parade due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Hundreds of dancers dance to the joyful tunes of marching bands as kids get the chance to take photos with their favourite Christmas characters on Christmas-themed floats.
Date: 23rd December 2023, 7pm
Location: Republic Street, Victoria
Distance from Townhouse 17: 200m, 2 minute walk
Just like past Christmases, the beautifully decorated Villa Rundle Garden is hosting a Christmas market that features local artisans and artists. This is the ideal place to purchase a genuine Gozo product and enjoy a glass of mulled wine to the tune of Christmas carols playing in the background.
Dates open: 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 December
Location: Villa Rundle Gardens, Victoria
Distance from Townhouse 17: 210m, 3 minute walk
This is a life-sized crib spread over 20,000sqm of fields situated adjacent to the popular Għajnsielem Square. This nativity village is always open but is usually animated on a handful of dates throughout December and at the start of January, when more than 150 actors give you a glimpse of life in Judea of 2000 years ago. You’ll also get to see and pet animals that are synonymous with the Christmas crib. There will also be several workshops open and plenty an opportunity to enjoy a warm glass of mulled wine or a Gozitan snack from the bakery. In 2017, CNN placed Bethlehem f’Għajnsielem as one of the world’s top Christmas attractions – a real feat given that Gozo is a tiny island.
Location: Ta’ Passi Fields, Għajnsielem
Distance from Townhouse 17: 5.3km, an 8 minute drive
Getting there using public transport: Catch bus 301 from Victoria Bus Terminal (right opposite TH) and stop at bus stop ‘Chambray’, takes about 15 minutes in total.
Dates animated:
If you love Christmas songs, then you’re in for a treat if you book a stay in Gozo throughout this festive period. There are over 25 Christmas concerts planned between now and the end of the programme at the start of January 2024 with the main ones being Christmas It’s Time, Carolling Christmas Concert, Feel the Magic of Christmas, and the Leone Grand Christmas Concert. Most of these concerts are happening in Victoria, so they’re just a short walk away from Townhouse 17.
The Christmas highlight for many locals is the midnight mass that is held in each village church on the island. The vigil usually starts at about 11.30pm on Christmas eve and is accompanied by live music to celebrate the birth of Baby Jesus. In Victoria, midnight mass is magnificently celebrated at St. George’s Basilica and the Gozo Cathedral, but you need to be early to secure a chair as these services are usually very popular. There are also other churches around TH that celebrate midnight mass with St. Francis Church, just up the road from our B&B, a worthy mention. During the midnight mass it is an old local tradition for a parish child, usually about 10 years old, to deliver the Christmas message to the congregation.
Distance from Townhouse 17:
St. George’s Basilica – 280m, a 3-minute walk
Gozo Cathedral – 700m, a 7-minutewalk
St. Francis Church – 76m, a 1 minute walk
In Gozo we love a party and the biggest one of all happens every new year’s eve at Independence Square (It-Tokk) in Victoria. A huge tent is set up every year to host this party that is usually attended by thousands. For this year, there’s a stellar line up that includes international stars The Venga Boys, a very popular band that have amassed millions and millions of views on YouTube. This is a free event and the party lasts till the early hours of the new year 2024.
Date: 31st December 2023, 9pm onwards
Location: Independence Square, Victoria
Distance from Townhouse17: 400m, a 5-minute walk
For so many reasons, Gozo is the place to be this Christmastime and there isn’t a better place to truly enjoy most of the programme of events than Victoria. If you are looking for a central location, in the heart of Victoria where most of the Christmas events are taking place, than look no further than our Townhouse 17. We are situated literally opposite the Victoria Bus terminal within walking distance to most of the Christmas events taking place. And if you wish to enjoy an event in one of Gozo’s quaint villages, you can always cross the road from Townhouse 17 and board a bus.
Current offer: Guests booking a minimum of two-nights at TH get a 25% discount. Guests enjoy a daily hearty breakfast and also get a 10% discount whenever they use the services of HOG, Cup Cake Cafe, and Chapeau Bistro throughout their stay at our B&B. Book Now.
Gift Vouchers: We also have Gift Voucher of any value you like whose recipient can redeem for a stay at Townhouse 17. These are ideal for Christmas gifts. Read more here.
